Bathtub or the like drain control and overflow regulator

ABSTRACT

A rotary drain control for the outlet of a bathtub or the like includes an overcenter crank operating the main drain valve and an adjustable rotary valve for controlling access to the overflow drain adjacent the top of the tub or the like to provide for variations in water level in said tub.

a United States Patent 1191 1111 3,835,484

Kato 1 Sept. 17, 1974 [54] BATHTUB OR THE LIKE DRAIN CONTROL 2,059,12010/1936 Krenzer ct a1. 4/199 AND OVERFLOW REGULATOR 2323365 12/19402,271,837 2/1942 [76] Inventor: Mikio Kato, 1003 Nottingham PL, 2,371,47 2 1959 La Vale, Md. 21502 2,910,704 11 1959 [22] Filed: Dec. 27, 192,925,989 2/1960 Hcmpel 251/351 1 l PP 318,898 Primary Examiner-Leon G.Machlin Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Gardiner, Sixbey, Bradford 1521 vs.(:1. 4/199, 251/351 and [51] Int. Cl. E03c [/232, E03c H24 [58] Field ofSearch 4/198, 199, 200, 201, 202; [57] ABSTRACT 251/351 339; 137/6373 Arotary drain control for the outlet of a bathtub or [56] ReferencesCited the; like includes an overcenter crank operating the mam drainvalve and an ad ustable rotary valve for UNITED STATES PATENTScontrolling access to the overflow drain adjacent the 1,901,118 3/1933Pope 4/199 top of the tub or the like to provide for variations in1,931,568 10/1933 BI'OIZ 4/199 water level in Said tub 1,943,628 1/1934Schultis 4/199 2,052,565 9/1936 Groeniger 4/199 5 Claims, 7 DrawingFigures 'IlllIIl/a L PRIOR ART Any conventional bathtub or bathroom sinkis provided with two drains. One drain is located at the low point atthe bottom of the tub or sink. The second drain is located in a wall ofthe particular receptacle generally just below the top of the wall. Thefirst drain is identified as the main drain while the second drain iscommonly called an overflow drain. The main drain is closed by any oneof a variety of means ranging from simple stoppers to mechanicallyactuated valves when the receptacle is to be filled. The overflow drainis customarily open at all times and thus provides an emergency oroverflow drain when the receptacle is full and serves to preventoverflow of water from the receptacle 1 if the water level gets toohigh.

Unfortunately, however, because the overflow drain is generallypositioned at a point somewhat below the edges of the receptacle, insome cases as much as 6.0 inches below the edges, receptacles havingoverflow drains cannot be completely filled. While this fact is anadvantage insofar as it protects against inadvertent overflow andresultant damage to the surrounding structure, it is a distinctdisadvantage where, for one reason or another it is desired to fill thereceptacle to its greatest capacity.

In recent years, the very simple expedient of closing the main drainwith a simple rubber stopper has given way to more sophisticated valveclosing systems utilizing a lever or rotary valve operator which islocated for convenience in the same assembly as the overflow drain.Early examples of such devices are found in U.S. Pat. No. 2,871,487 andalso later in U.S. Pat. No. 3,307,206. Thus where it is desired toprovide means, such as shown in Kato U.S. Pat. No. 3,570,020 or EmeryU.S. Pat. Nos. 3,221,347 and 3,497,878, whereby an overflow drain may beblocked, such devices are either unusable with the overflowdrainoperator type of structure or are not particularly convenient inthat the main drain valve operator is blocked requiring removal of thedeviceto be effected before the operator can be used. Also, suchdevicesv as Emery U.S. Pat. No. 3,221 ,347 are subject to loss and aredifficult to keep clean having in mind the natural affinity of soaps andgrease for most conventional rubber or plastic based devices. Too, wherethe operator for the main drain is covered, there is the inherent dangerthat the heat of the water or receptacle contents would prevent removalof the device or rapid draining of the receptacle via the main drainunder pain of severe burns where a person to immerse his hand in thefluid filled receptacle to gain access to the main drain operator.

THE INVENTION The instant invention is designed to provide not only theconvenience of an adjustable overflow outlet, but to do so inconjunction with a main drain valve operator which is easily and readilyoperated at all times, particularly in case of an emergency situation.The valve operator is also simply designed to provide for easy andreliable day-to-day operation and the assembly retains all of theadvantages, both plumbing-wise and aesthetically of the common overflowdrain-main drain valve operators so prevalent today. Additionally theoverall unit and/or various components are compatible with and may beapplied to almost every overflow drain in use including those made bysuch manufacturers as American Standard. Kohler and the like. Theinvention then comprises a valved overflow outlet combined with a maindrain valve operator having a rotary overcenter crank interconnectedwith a reciprocating rod disposed within the overflow pipe; a hollowcylindrical valve also in said pipe and movable to a position so as toblock the main drain pipe; the rotary crank is supported in a spidermounted in the outlet part in the tub, said spider including a threadedshoulder having a threaded shoulder extension projecting inwardly towardthe tub interior; an internally threaded cap is mounted on said shoulderand the skirt of the cap has an elongated opening therein for registrywith said shoulder projection for flow regulation or cessation throughthe overflow pipe; and a handle and shaft assembly is connected to therotary lever to permit operation thereof.

Having defined the invention in general terms, the details thereof willbecome apparent from consideration of the following detailed descriptionwherein reference is made to the drawings forming apart of thisspecification, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation partly in section, showing the inventioninstalled in a typical bathroom fixture,

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the valve operator assembly taken alongthe line 2-2 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a view of the assembly shown in FIG. 2 but showing theoperator rotated to the drain position,

FIG. 4 is a view in section through the operator assembly taken alongthe line 4--4 of FIG. 1, while FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of theoperator assembly as it appears installed within the interior of thebathroom fixture,

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but showing a modified form of maindrain operator,

FIG. 7 is a partial view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

Turning now to FIG. 1, it may be seen that installation of the valveoperator overflow control assembly 20 follows conventional plumbingpractice. The main drain of the receptacle, not shown communicates witha T-connector l which in turn is connected to the sewer access pipe 3and a vertical overflow drain pipe 5.

Overflow drain pipe 5 is connected to an elbow 7 of conventional design,by means of a typical threaded collar 9 and seal 11. As shown the elbow7 is a reducing elbow, i.e., one end is smaller in diameter than theother with the large end 15 being connected to the receptacle wall andthe smaller end 17 connected to the overflow drain pipe. As shown, thelarge end of the elbow includes an annular stepped face 19 havingperipheral lip 21 which fits inside of the overflow port 23 provided inthe wall 25 of the receptacle. Suitable seal means not shown may beinterdigitated between the outside surface of wall 25 and the face 19 ofthe elbow.

Disposed within the sewer outlet pipe 3 is a hollow cylindrical maindrain valve 29 which in one position is located either above or belowthe main drain opening 1 and in the other position blocks the sameopening. Thus, this valve 29 may either open or close the main drain ofthe receptacle depending on its position relative to the main drainoutlet 1, while at the same time, because it is hollow, it does not, inany position block flow pipe 5. Thus, if the receptacle is to be filledabove the position of the overflow port 23, some means must be providedto block port 23. This means is in the form of a combined valve operatorand overflowvalve assembly 30.

Assembly 30 is comprised of a spider plate 31 having a flat annular rim33 and a diametrically-extending cross rib 35. Rib 35 is provided withtwo apertures 37, 37', see FIG. in particular, through which a pair ofmachine bolts 39, 39' pass to engage suitable threaded bores (not shown)provided in elbow 7 adjacent the large end thereof. Thus the spiderplate is mounted in abutment with the wall of the receptacle 25 andaligned with the overflow port 23 and the open larger end of elbow 7.

The spider plate is provided with an inwardly, i.e., toward thereceptacle interior, projecting central boss 40 and a second concentricouter boss defining an externally-threaded annular shoulder 41. Asshown, in particular in FIGS. 4 and 5, shoulder 41 is provided along aportion of its inner terminal edge with an extension 43 which extensionis positioned so as to be symmetrically-disposed above and below thediametric center line of said rib. In other words, as viewed in FIG. 4,the shoulder extension occupies an 8 oclock to l 1 oclock position.

Threadedly secured on shoulder 41 and shoulder extension 43 is a skirtedcap 45 having very fine, shallowpitched, interior threads on skirt 47adapted to mate with similar threads on the shoulder and shoulderextension 41 and 43. The shallow pitch enables the cap 45 to be rotatedbut with a very little axial travel for a given degree of rotation.Further, the fineness of the threads causes an action similar to alabyrinth seal to prevent leakage of liquid between skirt 47 andshoulder 41.

As clearly seen in FIG. 5, the skirt 47 of cap 45 is provided with anelongated slot 49 which is considerably narrower than the width of theskirt and is also less wide than shoulder extension 43. Thus, when theslot 49 is positioned, by rotation of cap 45, so as to be aligned withthe shoulder extension 43, the assembly is sealed against the passage ofliquid therethrough. When, however, the cap is rotated, as in FIGS. 4and 5 so as to be disposed out of alignment with the shoulder extension43, there is provided a flow passage through assembly 30 which functionsas a conventional overflow drain. Thus, one of the stated functions isserved by the overflow valve operator assembly 30.

As stated previously, the spider plate 33 is provided with a centralinwardly-extending boss 40 carried centrally of the diametric rib 35.The boss and rib are bored to provide a central opening 51 through whichextends a shaft 53. The inner or receptacle end of shaft 53 carries ahandle 55 suitably afiixed thereto by any conventional fastener. Asuitable seal 77 surrounds shaft 53 and is seated in the opening 79 ofthe skirted cap 45 through which shaft 53 also passes.

Shaft 53 is prevented from axial movement by a spring clip locking means81 which engages a groove 85 provided in shaft 53 as shown in FIG. 1.The outer, i.e., drain end of the shaft 53 has fixed thereto as bypinning or keying an over-center crank means which is comprised of adrum 57 and a crescent-shaped drum extension 59 connected to said drumby a necked-down connecting area 61. A clevis 63 is connected to oneterminus of the drum extension and has an eye bolt 65 threadedly engagedtherein, said eye bolt being locked against rotation by a lock nut 67.The eye end of eye bolt 65 is in turn connected to one end of areciprocating rod 69 which has its lower end connected to a cross pin 71affixed to the drain closure or valve 29.

As clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when handle 55 is rotatedcounter-clockwise (clockwise as viewed in FIG. 5), the rotary assemblycomprising shaft 53, drum 57 and half-moon drum extension are rotated sothat the terminus of the extension is rotated toward and to the lowpoint of its rotary travel. The valve 29 and rod 69, clevis 63 and eyebolt- 65 move downwardly and the main drain of the receptacle is closed.

On the other hand, when rotation of handle 55 is reversed, the terminusmoves counter-clockwise as the drum extension rotates until the free end75 of the extension abuts against clevis 63. In this position thecoupled terminus has passed dead center, i.e., the clevis connection haspassed over the high point of its motion so that lever 55 and the entireassembly tend to continue clockwise rotation except for the interferencebetween the free end 75 of extension 59. Thus the rod 69 and valve 29are lifted and will remain lifted so that main drain is completely open.

As described above the entire unit is an integrated assembly designedfor installation as a unit in a conventional bathroom receptacle such asa bathtub or the like. It will be appreciated however, that in someinstances it may be desirable to install the overflow valve assembly 20in an existing receptacle having a different type of operator forexample a lever type of main drain operator such as shown in US. Pat.No. 3,493,978. Also, certain rotary type main drain operators employ asimple eye connection to the over center crank means.

In order to accomodate the valve assembly 20 to any conventionaloverflow drain regardless of the type of operator, the machine bolts 39,39' are removed and the entire assembly removed. The operator overflowassembly 20, FIG. 4 is then repositioned over the tub outlet anddepending on the type of connection the over-center lever of FIGS. 2 and3 is used or alternatively the modified over center lever of FIGS. 6 and7 is used. In this latter version a substitute shaft 53' is insertedthrough the central apertures 77 and 79 of the skirted cap and spiderplate respectively. The substitute shaft 53 carries an L-shaped crank 81having a longer leg 83 and a shorter leg 85. The terminal end of leg 85carries a stop pin 87 while the terminal end of longer leg 83 isprovided with a removable journal pin 89 fastened by means of a threadedand nut 91 connection to the lever arm. If the connection to the maindrain rod is an eye connection, then the hournal pin 89 is removedslipped through the eye and replaced quite readily before the machinebolts 39 and 39' pre reinserted through apertures 37, 37 to anchor thespider plate 31 against the wall of the particular receptacle.

Form the above description it can be seen that a combined overflow drainvalve and valve operator have been provided in a complete package notheretofore available and which can be installed and utilized in aconventional manner by both plumber and consumer regardless of the typeof overflow, main drain operator that may be previously installed.Various changes and modifications will occur to those skilled in the artall falling within the purview of the claims wherein:

What is claimed is:

1. In combination a rotary valve operator for the main drain of abathtub or the like receptacle and a control valve for the overflowdrain of said receptacle comprising in combination a spider platemounted in abutment with the interior of the receptacle and in registrywith the overflow drain port therein; a skirted cap rotably mounted onsaid spider plate, an opening being provided in said cap; means on saidspider plate for closing said opening in one position of said cap anduncovering said opening progressively upon rotation of said cap fromsaid one position; a rotatable shaft extending through said spider plateand having its ends disposed interiorly of said receptacle andexteriorly of said receptacle; a handle on the interior end of saidshaft; a rotatable over-center crank means on the exterior end of saidshaft; a reciprocating rod means connected to said over-center crankmeans; a valve means connected to said rod and operable to open or closethe main drain of the receptacle whereby rotation of said crank means inone direction closes said valve while rotation of said crank means inthe opposite direction opens said valve means and means fixed on saidcrank means to maintain said valve in the open position.

2. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said crank meanscomprises a drum and a crescentshaped drum extension carried thereon;and said reciprocating rod is connected to one end of saidcrescentshaped extension, the other end of said crescentshaped extensiondefining an over-center stop means.

3. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said crank meanscomprises integrally joined L-shaped arms, one of which is longer thanthe other and said longer arm is provided with a removable journal pinand the shorter of the arms carries a stop pin.

4. The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said cap is a skirted capand said opening is a narrow slot disposed in said skirt and said meanson said spider plate comprises a fixed extension on said spider plateadapted to register with and close said slot in one position of saidskirted cap.

5. A closure assembly for the overflow drain of a bathtub or similarreceptacle comprising a plate having openings therein disposed over theoverflow port of said receptacle; an annular shoulder extending fromsaid plate toward the interior of said receptacle; an extension on saidshoulder; a skirted cap in engagement with said shoulder and saidshoulder extension, the skirt of said cap having an aperture thereinadapted for registry with said shoulder extension in one position ofsaid skirted cap, whereby flow of liquid through said closure assemblymay be terminated at will; and a main drain valve operator disposedcentrally of and passing through said closure assembly.

1. In combination a rotary valve operator for the main drain of abathtub or the like receptacle and a control valve for the overflowdrain of said receptacle comprising in combination a spider platemounted in abutment with the interior of the receptacle and in registrywith the overflow drain port therein; a skirted cap rotably mounted onsaid spider plate, an opening being provided in said cap; means on saidspider plate for closing said opening in one position of said cap anduncovering said opening progressively upon rotation of said cap fromsaid one position; a rotatable shaft extending through said spider plateand having its ends disposed interiorly of said receptacle andexteriorly of said receptacle; a handle on the interior end of saidshaft; a rotatable over-center crank means on the exterior end of saidshaft; a reciprocating rod means connected to said over-center crankmeans; a valve means connected to said rod and operable to open or closethe main drain of the receptacle whereby rotation of said crank means inone direction closes said valve while rotation of said crank means inthe opposite direction opens said valve means and means fixed on saidcrank means to maintain said Valve in the open position.
 2. Thecombination as defined in claim 1 wherein said crank means comprises adrum and a crescent-shaped drum extension carried thereon; and saidreciprocating rod is connected to one end of said crescent-shapedextension, the other end of said crescent-shaped extension defining anover-center stop means.
 3. The combination as defined in claim 1 whereinsaid crank means comprises integrally joined L-shaped arms, one of whichis longer than the other and said longer arm is provided with aremovable journal pin and the shorter of the arms carries a stop pin. 4.The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said cap is a skirted cap andsaid opening is a narrow slot disposed in said skirt and said means onsaid spider plate comprises a fixed extension on said spider plateadapted to register with and close said slot in one position of saidskirted cap.
 5. A closure assembly for the overflow drain of a bathtubor similar receptacle comprising a plate having openings thereindisposed over the overflow port of said receptacle; an annular shoulderextending from said plate toward the interior of said receptacle; anextension on said shoulder; a skirted cap in engagement with saidshoulder and said shoulder extension, the skirt of said cap having anaperture therein adapted for registry with said shoulder extension inone position of said skirted cap, whereby flow of liquid through saidclosure assembly may be terminated at will; and a main drain valveoperator disposed centrally of and passing through said closureassembly.